Sutter-Yuba County Biographies
GEORGE HENRY MAGRUDER
Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Widely known among the successful industrial enterprises of Sutter
County rendering the public an important service, the Yuba City Milling Company
has gained in popularity under the able management of its proprietor, George
Henry Magruder. Mr. Magruder was born on a farm at Clermont, Bullitt County,
Ky., on April 3, 1858, the son of George W. and Julia M. (Coombs) Magruder, the
former a plantation owner known for miles around on account of his progressive
methods and his substantial results, and also for his high sense of honor and
public-spiritedness. Mrs. Magruder shared the broad views and sympathies of her
husband, and the death of both was widely lamented.
George H. Magruder attended the public schools of Kentucky and
Lynland College in Hardin County, where he made a good showing. Later he was
clerk for a couple of years in a grocery store at Bardstown Junction, Ky. In
1879 he came as far west as Colorado, where for two years he assisted in
building the Denver & Rio Grande Railway from south Arkansas on the Arkansas
River, through to Salt Lake City. On January 10, 1882, he set out for the
Pacific Coast; and on February 14 he had the good fortune to come direct to Yuba
City. He worked in the grain fields for a couple of seasons, and then found
employment in the old flouring mill conducted by T. B. Hull, where he remained
for eight years. This mill was located on the present site of Hotel Sutter.
After some years Mr. Magruder and J. W. Greely leased the mill, and together
managed it for about two years. In 1903 it was burned to the ground, causing a
loss of $35,000 over and above the insurance. When Mr. Greely died, in 1912,
Mr. Magruder purchased his widow�s interest, and as sole owner and manager he
has been very successful. After the fire the partners bought the present site
on the Southern Pacific Railroad and at once began the erection of a new mill,
which was modern in every respect and was ready for business in eleven months�
time. It is a four-story, concrete, fire-proof structure and is a decided asset
to the city. The capacity of the mill is 200 barrels per day; there is a feed
mill in connection with it, and all machinery is electrically driven. They make
three brands of flour, �Minnesota,� �Yuba City Patent� and �Our Own.� Spur
tracks run from the Southern Pacific Railroad, and also from the Northern
Electric, to their plant. Their trade extends throughout northern California
and into southern Oregon. Mr. Magruder is also the owner of a peach orchard and
an alfalfa ranch three miles south of Yuba City. He is a lover of fine horses
and has bred fancy stock. He raised Peter Klyo, by Peter the Great. This horse
won four grand circuit races and made a 2:051/2 mark; another of his horses won
a pacing record of 2:10; and still another trotter, which he sold, is now one of
the speediest horses in the West.
In 1889, Mr. Magruder was married at Yuba City to Miss Josephine
Cannon, born at Peoria House, Yuba County, a native daughter, whose gifts
include the art of making herself both agreeable and popular. Her father, Dr.
J. G. Cannon, a native of Delaware, came to California before 1856 and practiced
medicine at Peoria House; and there in 1856 he married Mrs. Eliza (Phillips)
Harkness, whose first husband had died in the East. She came to Peoria House in
1854, a place her father, Capt. Thomas Phillips, had built and named after
coming across the plains from Peoria, Ill., in 1849. In 1872 Dr. Cannon located
in Yuba City, where he followed his profession until his death, on March 17,
1904. His widow survived him until 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Magruder have one child,
a son named George Harold Magruder. Mr. Magruder is a Mason, a member of
Enterprise Lodge No. 70, F. & A.M., of Yuba City; Washington Chapter No. 13,
R.A.M., of Marysville; and Marysville Commandery No. 7, K.T. Mrs. Magruder is a
member of the Eastern Star and of the Woman�s Improvement Club. In civic as
well as in fraternal circles, Mr. and Mrs. Magruder are among those who may be
depended upon when unselfish work for the community is called for, even though
at some sacrifice to the worker.
(Since the above was written, Mr. Magruder passed away, on February
21, 1924. He was a man most highly esteemed, and took a deep interest in the
affairs of the community, being always ready to give of his means to assist any
worthy project for its upbuilding. He was buried with Masonic honors.)
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 514-515